Mali forward Bakary Konate still prime Louisville basketball target

During his news conference Friday to announce the University of Louisville’s four basketball signees, coach Rick Pitino said the Cardinals expect to add a fifth once that player finalizes some “paperwork issues.”

One potential target is Malian power forward Bakary Konate, who visited U of L last weekend and has a scholarship offer from the Cardinals.

Luke Barnwell, Konate’s coach at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas, said Friday he was not aware of a college decision being imminent for the ­6-foot-9 Konate because he has yet to explain his recruitment to his parents, who are difficult to reach by phone in Mali.

“I don’t know how rushed he is to make a decision, but I do know he did enjoy the visit,” Barnwell said. “Obviously, Louisville is a pretty special place as far as facilities and support and recent success. He was pretty wowed, but as far as where he’s at, I’m not for sure.”

But Barnwell said it’s possible Konate, who has not taken or scheduled any other visits, could be closer to a decision than he realized because it’s difficult for them to talk in depth about recruiting in English.

He said Konate’s conversations with U of L’s staff usually are with assistant coach Mike Balado in Spanish. Before coming to Sunrise Christian, Konate spent four years studying and playing in Spain, including with a junior Euroleague club. That he can communicate well with Balado is another reason he likes the Cards.

Barnwell said Konate is still pursuing a qualifying score on the SAT, but he thinks he’ll eventually be cleared to play college ball. The coach also expects Konate to face no eligibility problems based on his background overseas.

Pitino watched Konate work out in September and made an immediate offer. His assistants have been back to Sunrise Christian since.

Barnwell assumes that since Pitino brought in Konate for an official visit, his offer stands even though the Cards have signed big men Jaylen Johnson and Chinanu Onuaku.

Pitino lauds signees

Pitino offered high praise for his four signees on Friday.

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On Shaqquan Aaron: “He’s a very well-coached winner. … I just love this young man’s game and his potential. … He’s a dynamic passer, scorer and ball-handler. He has it all. … He’s as good a wing player as I’ve recruited.”

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On Johnson: “He’s also something we really needed. … He’s long. He scores. He’s an excellent defensive player. He passes. Everything we want in a stretch ‘4’ is exactly what he is. … Jaylen is someone who is going to get better and better and better. He has unlimited potential. … He can handle it. They all put it on the floor great.”

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On Onuaku: “He’s 6 feet 10, extremely long. Unlike the other two guys, he’s physically ready right now. He doesn’t need to put on any weight. He’s very strong. … A very long shot-blocker who has great upside. … Excellent rebounder and knows the game.”

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On Quentin Snider: “He’s really a terrific basketball player at all offensive phases and also very well-coached. … He makes people better. He gets in the lane. He can score. Like most high school basketball players, they need to get better at the defensive end. … He actually grew a lot taller than I thought he’d be. … I think he’d be 5-10, 5-11, but he’s gotten to be 6-1, which is great. … It’s capped off a great, great year for us. Getting Q to stay home is a great thing for us.”

Pitino would welcome

a one-and-done

Five-star Indianapolis power forward Trey Lyles cited Kentucky’s reputation for having players drafted early and often as a major reason he chose the Wildcats over U of L, but Pitino said he’s not opposed to having one-and-done players.

“A lot of people think I’m anti-one-and-done,” he said. “Like I told Trey Lyles, I’m absolutely not. I said I’d relish a one-and-done. I’d love to have one, but I keep telling them I don’t make that decision. I’m very up front and honest with them. I say, I’m going to work you so hard that you’re going to improve rapidly, but ... it’s irrelevant what I think because I’m no longer coaching at the pro level. It’s what (the scouts) think.”

Huntington Prep playing in Frankfort today

Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, which features five-star 2015 forward Montaque Gill-Caesar, who visited UK last weekend and might reclassify to 2014, will play at Frankfort High School’s F.D. Wilkinson Sports Arena at 2 p.m. today against Ezell Harding Christian Academy of Tennessee.

Huntington Prep also features former U of L commitment JaQuan Lyle — who now could become a target of Indiana — and five-star junior forward Thomas Bryant.